PROSPECTIVE MONITORING OF DRUG USE: DRUG-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN A PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTER

Bioética clínica e ensino-aprendizagem de estudantes de Farmácia

De maneira geral, a atenção em saúde engloba atividades que demandam dos profissionais farmacêuticos a atuação clínica segura. Essa atuação considera a relação aperfeiçoada com os pacientes por meio de atributos para lidar com cenários conflitantes, os chamados “problemas ético-morais”. Nesse sentido, o método deliberativo de Diego Gracia atua na discussão democrática prudente de casos com base em fatos, valores e deveres, formando comitês multiprofissionais. O estudo em questão apresenta contribuições da aplicação do método deliberativo em sala de aula, com a abordagem de problemas relevantes para a atividade farmacêutica e humana sob o olhar da Bioética contemporânea trabalhado em conjunto com discentes do curso de Farmácia dos 6o e 10o períodos, respectivamente. A deliberação como estratégia de ensino possibilitou a reflexão dos alunos quanto às inúmeras perspectivas na tomada de decisão em saúde, considerando aspectos como cultura, religião e sociedade; além disso, exaltou a importância das disciplinas concernentes à Deontologia e à Bioética na matriz curricular.

Overview of drug induced liver injury in Brazil: What is the role of public health policy on the evidence?

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reactions are responsible for increased costs and morbidity in the health system. Hepatotoxicity can be induced both by non-prescription drugs and by those used for chronic diseases. It is the main cause of safety-related drug marketing withdrawals and could be responsible for irreversible and fatal injuries.

AIM

To identify and to summarize Brazilian studies reporting the drug-induced liver injury.

METHODS

A systematic review of Brazilian studies was carried out until June 2020. It was found 32 studies, being 10 retrospective cohorts, 12 prospective cohorts, 5 cross-sectional, 3 case-control, one case series and one randomized clinical trial. In most studies were investigated tuberculosis patients followed by other infectious conditions like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus. The hepatotoxicity ranged from one to 57%, led by isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide. Few studies reported algorithm to assess causality. In most studies, there were moderate outcomes and it was necessary drug interruption. However, few severe outcomes, such as chronic liver damage and liver transplantation were reported.

RESULTS

Twenty-two different criteria for hepatotoxicity were found. The great heterogeneity did not allow a meta-analysis. Standardization of parameter of drug-induced liver injury and greater effort in pharmacovigilance could contribute to learn more about drug-induced liver injury (DILI)'s epidemiology in Brazil.

CONCLUSION

The development of strategic public health policies seems to have an influence on the DILI scientific evidence in Brazil due to main studies are in HIV and tuberculosis line care, two strategic health policies in Brazil.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and organ damage: A current perspective

Owing to the efficacy in reducing pain and inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are amongst the most popularly used medicines confirming their position in the WHO's Model List of Essential Medicines. With escalating musculoskeletal complications, as evident from 2016 Global Burden of Disease data, NSAID usage is evidently unavoidable. Apart from analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic efficacies, NSAIDs are further documented to offer protection against diverse critical disorders including cancer and heart attacks. However, data from multiple placebo-controlled trials and meta-analyses studies alarmingly signify the adverse effects of NSAIDs in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, cerebral and pulmonary complications. Although extensive research has elucidated the mechanisms underlying the clinical hazards of NSAIDs, no review has extensively collated the outcomes on various multiorgan toxicities of these drugs together. In this regard, the present review provides a comprehensive insight of the existing knowledge and recent developments on NSAID-induced organ damage. It precisely encompasses the current understanding of structure, classification and mode of action of NSAIDs while reiterating on the emerging instances of NSAID drug repurposing along with pharmacophore modification aimed at safer usage of NSAIDs where toxic effects are tamed without compromising the clinical benefits. The review does not intend to vilify these 'wonder drugs'; rather provides a careful understanding of their side-effects which would be beneficial in evaluating the risk-benefit threshold while rationally using NSAIDs at safer dose and duration.